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Halifax Water manages six watersheds, Pockwock Lake, Lake Major, Bennery Lake, Tomahawk Lake (future supply), Chain Lake (Halifax backup supply) and Lamont/Topsail (Dartmouth backup supply).
Watershed management is the first step in Halifax Water's multiple barrier approach to water quality management. Watershed management means protecting and improving the quality of water before it gets to the treatment plant. The following components make up the watershed management program.
Forestry Management
Superior lake water quality depends on a healthy watershed forest. HRWC practices active forestry to ensure that the watershed forests are diverse in age and species and resistant to disease, insects and fires.
Provincial Designation
The Pockwock and Lake Major watersheds are designated watersheds under the Nova Scotia Environment Act. This means that these watersheds are protected by provincial legislation. Under the legislation, activities on the watersheds are regulated including restrictions on hunting, fishing and the use of motorized vehicles.
Land Acquisition
Whenever possible, Halifax Water purchases watershed land from private land owners. Having watershed land owned by either Halifax Water or the Crown provides the best opportunities to manage the forest and to monitor activity on the watershed.
Patrols and Maintenance
Halifax Water staff continuously patrol watershed land to monitor watershed activity and maintain boundary lines. Problems encountered include illegal use of ATV's and snowmobiles, illegal forestry, and illegal dumping, which can adversely impact water quality.
Public Information
Halifax Water is working to advise the public about the importance of watershed management. Staff provide information sessions to promote watershed management. Notices are posted around the watersheds and leaflets are distributed advising those entering the watersheds of the where they are and permitted activities. Halifax Water also participates in management boards for the Pockwock and Lake Major watersheds. These include meeting regularly with regulators and the affected communities to discuss management of the watersheds.
Pockwock Lake
Pockwock Lake is the water supply for Halifax, Bedford, Sackville, Timberlea, Fall River and Waverley. The watershed is protected by provincial designation and is primarily owned by the Crown. HRWC jointly manages the watershed with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. The watershed encompasses approximately 5661 hectares.
Tomahawk Lake
The Tomahawk Lake watershed encompasses approximately 1500 hectares. The watershed is not designated but is 90%owned by the Halifax Regional Water Commission. This watershed is reserved as a potential future supplementary supply for the areas now served by Pockwock Lake. HRWC actively manages this watershed
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Lake Major
Lake Major is the water supply for Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, Westphal and Eastern Passage. The watershed encompasses approximately 7000 hectares. Approximately 2900 hectares are owned by the Crown and 2100 hectares are owned by HRWC. Approximately 1100 hectares are privately owned including portions of the communities of North Preston, Cherrybrook, and Montague Gold Mines. The watershed is protected under provincial designation. Approximately one third of the designated watershed is part of the Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area and is protected from a variety of activites under the Wilderness Act.
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Topsail/Lamont
The Topsail/Lamont Watershed is part of the former water supply for the Dartmouth area. The watershed is approximately 350 hectares and is located in the heart of Dartmouth, north of Highway 7. The watershed is maintained as a backup water supply.
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Chain Lakes
The Chain Lakes Watershed is located west of Northwest Arm Drive in Halifax. It encompasses approximately 240 hectares and serves as the backup water supply to Pockwock Lake.
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